Thursday, April 7, 2011

Russian Orloffs

Russian Orloff - Spangled Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Below: Russian Orloff - Spangled Young Pair

Photo Source: www.raskip.be

Being from the COLD "Great White North", hardiness in a poultry breed is one quality which is important to me. Russian Orloffs (a.k.a. just 'Orloffs' or 'Russians') possess this quality. Not having a single comb - their combs described as being more a cushion, walnut or strawberry comb rather than a true rose comb, makes them ideal candidates for cold weather. That, and the fact that they are a rather tall meaty bird with a thick neck and calm temperament would seem to make them the ideal fowl for these climes. For some reason or another, the popularity of the Orloff never really took off in North America. In fact, they are one of the breeds that was de-listed from the American Standard of Perfection in 1894, this after originally being listed in 1875 (as 'Russians' not 'Orloffs').

Russian Orloffs - Spangled Pair

Photo Source: Unknown

The Orloff is a fairly tall chicken with an upright stance and an upright erect tail. It has a thick arched neck and a fierce looking face, probably due to its tiny wattles, dark curved beak, and reddish face with eyes set slightly back.

Orloffs are muffed and bearded, have yellow legs and a walnut/cushion comb.

They are a very slow growing breed. According to old standards, males should eventually weigh out at around eight and one-half pounds and the hens at six and one-half. Hens are fairly good layers of tinted brown eggs and produce well in winter.

Russain Orloff - Spangled Hen Head-shotPhoto Soource: Unknown

The Orloff is named after Alexey Grigoryevich Orlov, a Russian Count, who lived from 1737 to 1808.

Not only was this Count one of the Russia's most able statesmen, he was Prime Minister to Empress Catherine the Great, and Commander-in-Chief of the Black Sea fleet. Count Alexey Grigoryevich Orlov was very interested in agriculture and developing new breeds of animals.

Count Alexey Grigoryevich OrlovPhoto Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

At his estate farm in the European realm of the Russian Empire, he worked on breeding horses, dogs, sheep, chickens and pigeons. He is credited for creating some 70 animal breeds including the Russian Wolfhound and Russia's most famous breed of horses, the Orloff Trotter; a horse noted for its fast trot and outstanding stamina.

Orloff Trotter - Photo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Today many poultry historians refute the idea that Count Orloff created the Russian Orloffs. Instead, it is now believed that the Orloff comes from Persia, or what is now known as Iran, and made its way into Eastern Europe and northern Asian countries around the 17th century. These early birds were referred to as "Chlianskaia" and were not really known for their egg-laying abilities. There is some speculation that once in Europe and Russia, the Chlianskaia was bred with the Combattant de Bruges, Thüringer Barthühner, and Ushanka fowl (Ушанка Куры), creating what became known as the Russian Orloff.

Thüringer Barthühner - Black Hen

Photo Source: www.rgzv-kefenrod.de

Thüringer Barthühner - Buff Laced Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Combattant de Bruges - Black Rooster

Photo Source: www.coqliegeors.skyrock.com

Ushanka (УшанкаКуры) - Hen

Photo Source: www.fermer.rul

Russian Orloff - Cuckoo Rooster

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Whatever the case, it is acknowledged that Count Orloff refined the Chlianskaia, creating a hardy dual-purpose fowl, and was a great promoter of this breed and its appearance in Western Europe and the United States is largely due to his efforts.

Russian Orloff - Cuckoo Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

It is believed Orloffs were only introduced to Britain in the 1920s; this after they had been “refined” in Germany. Germans are also credited for creating created the bantam Orloff , also in the 1920’s, having it recognized by their National Poultry Association in 1925.

Russian Orloff - Red (Mahogany) Rooster

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Russian Orloff - Red (Mahogany) Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Early importations of Orloffs to America were mainly black, heavy boned, hard muscled, chickens which were great meat fowl.

Russian Orloff - Black Cockerel

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Russian Orloff - Black Pullet

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Various colours soon gained popularity with the black variety quickly losing its prominence to the new colours, especially the Spangled variety.

Russian Orloff - Spangled Chicks Photo Source: Unknown

Supposedly there was a hatchery operating in Pennsylvania that hatched Orloffs in seven colors, but unfortunately closed around the late 1930's or early 1940's. Today in North America, you would be hard pressed to find a Russian Orloff other than the Spangled Variety. There are a few Mohagany (in some countries this is a variety called "Red"), but for the most part, Spangled is what you will find in Standard varieties. Although the A.P.A. no longer recognizes the Russian Orloff, the A.B.A. does.

More Russian Orloff Pictures

Russian Orloff - White Rooster

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Russian Orloff - White Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Russian Orloff - Mottled Rooster

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

Russian Orloff - Mottled Hen

Photo Source: www.kippenencyclopedie.nl

The following pictures are of Spangled Russian Orloffs. If anyone knows the source please advise me so that proper Source Credits may be asked for and presented.

Wonderfully thorough information, thank you for that! Hello, new follower here and I’d like to invite you to join me at my weekly Clever Chicks Blog Hop: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/clever-chicks-blog-hop-18-and-country.html